Sorry my story is so long, but i have to say this to someone, as i have never said it or wrote it out loud..... to anyone.

My mother and father left me with my paternal grandparents who were english, in St. Charles Michigan, in 1959 when i was just 6 months old.

Growing up they forbid me to have contact with my "other side". My whole life i have always felt so lost and abandoned. I have such a strong need to belong to someone, and that is what brings me here. I am so PROUD of my Italian heritage, and that's where i feel I belong.

I met my maternal grandfather, Orlando Janni once when i was 10. My paternal grandparents let me spend the day with him. I never saw him again until he passed away when i was 18. He was so handsome and kind, and he loved me so. I remember i held his big soft hand most of that day and when it was time for my return, i was crying i did not want to go back.

At that meeting, he made me promise i would never forget him, he loved me so and if he had his way i would come live with him. This is what he wanted most in this world, as Alma Janni, his daughter was his only child, and i (Dottie Spencer) was his only grandchild. I can still see him sitting there and i can hear his soft words telling me this. I kept the promise i made that day....i only wish i had some pictures, any pictures of him, or any family members.

All help in finding information on these two families would be very appreciated and cherished, and Thank you for reading this.

I have tried looking by myself and i haven't gotten very far, but the following is what i did manage to get:

Orlando Janni (son of Saverio Janni and Fortunata Gagliardi) was born 1908. He married Marie.

Notes for Orlando Janni:
He was self-employed, owning a party store in Flushing, Michigan

Children of Orlando Janni and Marie are:
Alma Janni. <Alma is my mom.

My Great Grandparents (maternal)
Saverio Janni (b. March 28, 1881, d. October 19, 1971)
Saverio Janni was born March 28, 1881 in San Pietro, Italy, and died October 19, 1971 in Saginaw, Michigan. He married Fortunata Gagliardi on November 14, 1904 in Italy.

Notes for Saverio Janni:
first lived in Hibbing Minnasota where they recieved their naturalization papers
They then moved to Birch Run, Michigan

More About Saverio Janni and Fortunata Gagliardi:
Marriage: November 14, 1904, Italy.

Children of Saverio Janni and Fortunata Gagliardi are:
+Mario Janni, b. May 15, 1918, d. March 23, 1995, Hagerstown, MD 21740.
+Orlando Janni, b. 1908.
+Fiore Janni, b. 1909, d. 1986.
+Victoria Janni, b. 1911.
+Raymond Janni, b. 1915, d. November 1976.
+Belinda Janni, b. 1920.
+Albert Janni, b. July 1922.
+William Janni, b. March 11, 1925.

Freethinker wrote:

Sorry my story is so long, but i have to say this to someone, as i have never said it or wrote it out loud..... to anyone. My mother and father left me with my paternal grandparents who were english, in St. Charles Michigan, in 1959 when i was just 6 months old. Growing up they forbid me to have contact with my "other side". My whole life i have always felt so lost and abandoned. I have such a strong need to belong to someone, and that is what brings me here. I am so PROUD of my Italian heritage, and that's where i feel I belong. I met my maternal grandfather, Orlando Janni once when i was 10. My paternal grandparents let me spend the day with him. I never saw him again until he passed away when i was 18. He was so handsome and kind, and he loved me so. I remember i held his big soft hand most of that day and when it was time for my return, i was crying i did not want to go back. At that meeting, he made me promise i would never forget him, he loved me so and if he had his way i would come live with him. This is what he wanted most in this world, as Alma Janni, his daughter was his only child, and i (Dottie Spencer) was his only grandchild. I can still see him sitting there and i can hear his soft words telling me this. I kept the promise i made that day....i only wish i had some pictures, any pictures of him, or any family members. All help in finding information on these two families would be very appreciated and cherished, and Thank you for reading this. I have tried looking by myself and i haven't gotten very far, but the following is what i did manage to get: Orlando Janni (son of Saverio Janni and Fortunata Gagliardi) was born 1908. He married Marie. Notes for Orlando Janni: He was self-employed, owning a party store in Flushing, Michigan Children of Orlando Janni and Marie are: Alma Janni. <Alma is my mom. My Great Grandparents (maternal) Saverio Janni (b. March 28, 1881, d. October 19, 1971) Saverio Janni was born March 28, 1881 in San Pietro, Italy, and died October 19, 1971 in Saginaw, Michigan. He married Fortunata Gagliardi on November 14, 1904 in Italy. Notes for Saverio Janni: first lived in Hibbing Minnasota where they recieved their naturalization papers They then moved to Birch Run, Michigan More About Saverio Janni and Fortunata Gagliardi: Marriage: November 14, 1904, Italy. Children of Saverio Janni and Fortunata Gagliardi are: +Mario Janni, b. May 15, 1918, d. March 23, 1995, Hagerstown, MD 21740. +Orlando Janni, b. 1908. +Fiore Janni, b. 1909, d. 1986. +Victoria Janni, b. 1911. +Raymond Janni, b. 1915, d. November 1976. +Belinda Janni, b. 1920. +Albert Janni, b. July 1922. +William Janni, b. March 11, 1925.

Dottie,

You say he died when you were 18?

Name: Orlando Janni
Birth Date: 5 Jun 1908
Death Date: 25 Feb 1987
Gender: Male
Residence: Saginaw, Saginaw, Michigan
Place of Death: Flint, Genesee, Michigan

According to this, you would be 28.

Also, Severio's death index:

Name: Saverio Janni
SSN: 367-20-8370
Last Residence: 48734 Frankenmuth, Saginaw, Michigan, United States of America
Born: 28 Mar 1881
Died: Oct 1971
State (Year) SSN issued: Michigan (Before 1951)

maybe you already have abt:
Victoria Janni
Birth 23 Aug 1911
in Hibbing, Minnesota
Death 24 Jul 1988 in Saginaw, Michigan Burial in Birch Run cemetery, Birch Run, Michigan

spouse: Nicola DiBerardino (1897 – 1964)
marriage: 1934 6 Jan Bridgeport, Michigan

suanj

Hi!
Thank you for the very complete post
A couple of questions?
Do you have all of your US records? If not, do you need help looking for anything?
Are you interested in researching your family in Italy? We may be able to direct you on how.
Thank you, Valarie

Hi Squigy and suanj!

Ahhh! After reading through your story, I now understand with great depth your reply to the post with my GF in military uniform. Good luck with your search